The primary duty of the Grants Staff is to administer federal funding for matching grant programs, public education initiatives, cooperative agreements, and other in-house activities. The DHPA currently has one active annual federally funded grant program (Historic Preservation Fund).

Grant proposals must fall within the parameters set for the program in order to be considered for funding. All grant proposals are evaluated by a selection committee and are scored against predetermined evaluation criteria. Because there is a great demand for grant assistance for preservation projects, the grant program is highly competitive.

The grant program provides matching grant assistance, where the grant recipient must supply a certain percentage of the total project cost, known as the local match. In addition, all grant funds are paid out on a reimbursement basis. The grant recipient must use their local matching funds to initiate the project, and then must submit documentation of expenses incurred and paid in order to receive the grant funds. Grant awards are subject to maximum award amounts; any part of the total project cost above these matching ratios and maximum award amounts must be borne by the grant recipient.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants may differ by program, but ordinarily include: 1) governmental agencies such as county commissions, city councils, redevelopment commissions, county transportation departments, and school or library boards; 2) educational institutions such as state or private colleges and universities; and 3) not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, such as grassroots preservation groups, local foundations, and historical societies. Because of state and federal regulations, grant assistance (public money) may not be granted to active religious organizations or to private individuals, and may not be used for the rehabilitation of properties owned by active religious organizations or by private citizens. Properties to be assisted with grant funds are subject to State and National Register listing status and/or eligibility requirements; please refer to the program descriptions below for specific details. Properties to be assisted with grant funds must also be non-income-producing. Properties that are income-producing and have a tax liability may be eligible to receive state and federal rehabilitation tax credits. For more information please refer to our tax credit programs for homeowners or commercial property owners

The DHPA Grants Staff is always available to answer questions about grant programs and the eligibility of specific projects and properties and to give advice on how to complete the grant proposal materials. The Grants Staff is also the primary contact for requesting general grant information and application packets.

Maximum grant award: $35,000 for A & H; $50,000 for A&D and Archaeology.

Matching share ratios: 50% federal / 50% local for most projects

70% federal / 30% local for survey projects

Length of program: 13 months

Eligible applicants:

Municipal government entities

Educational institutions

Not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status

Project categories: Architectural and Historical, Archaeological, and Acquisition and Development (Rehabilitation)

Each year, the DHPA receives funding under the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The HPF Program helps to promote historic preservation and archaeology in Indiana by providing assistance to projects that will aid the State in meeting its goals for cultural resource management. Of Indiana’s annual HPF allotment, about 65% is set aside to fund a matching grants program and cooperative agreements to foster important preservation and archaeology activities, such as co-sponsorship of the annual Preserving Historic Places: Indiana's Statewide Preservation Conference. The remainder of this funding pays for office interns, Archaeology Month and Preservation Week programs, printing and mailing of the Division’s newsletter and other public education materials, and the purchase of necessary office equipment for the Division.

Under the HPF matching grants program, grant awards are made in three project categories. When applying for grant funds, applicants must be certain to request and complete the appropriate application packet for their project category.

Architectural and Historical projects include: National Register nominations for eligible historic districts; public education programs and materials relating to preservation, such as workshops, training events, publications, and brochures; feasibility studies, architectural and engineering plans, and specifications for the rehabilitation and/or adaptive reuse of National Register-listed properties; historic structure reports for National Register-listed properties; and historic context studies with National Register nominations for specific types of historic resources.

Archaeological projects include: survey, testing, and research focused on specific geographic areas or cultural groups; National Register nominations for individual or multiple archaeological sites; and public education programs and materials relating to archaeology.

Acquisition and Development projects include the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and acquisition of National Register-listed properties. This category is often referred to as “bricks and mortar money,” and is used to help save buildings and structures that are severely threatened or endangered. Note that properties not listed in the National Register are not eligible to receive federal HPF funds.